KEVIN CADLE, 1955-2017
- Updated: October 16, 2017
Kevin Cadle has passed away at the age of 62.
British Basketball’s most successful coach of all-time died after a brief illness, his representatives confirmed.
The American had made himself a fixture of the UK sporting landscape since arriving on these shores over 30 years ago, forging a career on the sidelines that took in stops in Falkirk, Glasgow, Manchester, Kingston and finally London Towers, winning five BBL titles and countless other domestic honours.
He coached almost 500 BBL games during his career and finished with a staggering overall record of 397 wins and 97 losses (2 ties). His 80% win record remains the best in British Basketball League history.
In total, he won each trophy five times in the BBL (plus a Cup title in the season before the inaugural BBL campaign). Cadle oversaw a period of dominance at the helm of Glasgow and Kingston between 1988 and 1992, when he masterminded a stellar run which collected 14 out of the 15 pieces of silverware on offer.
During the same period, he took Kingston to the Quarter-Finals of the Champions Cup – the equivalent of the modern-day Euroleague. Cadle came up with victories against some giants of the European game including the likes of Maccabi, Aris, Scavolini, CSKA and Limoges.
He also helmed Great Britain’s 1992 Olympic qualifying campaign and had stints in charge of England and Scotland.
“Kevin Cadle over the years had a huge impact in my basketball development,†said former GB captain Drew Sullivan. “His camp at Crystal Palace was the first one that I had ever been to. He was also my first professional coach while he was at London Towers.
“Giving me the opportunity to practice and dress for the men’s team. Kevin always had advice after my games that he attended. Never criticised only ever advised.
“To hear that he is no longer with us is going to be hard to comprehend. At this moment all I can really say is my thoughts and prayers are with his family. As today British Basketball has lost a real legend.â€
Added current Great Britain coach Tony Garbelotto, who began his career on Cadle’s staff in London, “Apart from being one of the greatest coaches in British basketball history, he was also one of the biggest supporters of British players and coaches.
“He touched so many people from the basketball community in the most positive way possible. He will be incredibly missed by all of us.”
Yet the Buffalo native gained a new level of fame on television, taking over the presenter’s chair at Sky Sports to front their coverage of the BBL and NBA before switching over to the NFL where he remained until two years ago.
More recently, he was commentating on Euroleague and made a one-off return to Sky for the All Stars Championship last month.
“Kevin presented our NFL and basketball coverage for over 15 years and he did so much to inform and entertain the growing fan bases these sports enjoy in the UK and Ireland,†said the Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis.
“In a week that will see yet another NFL sell-out crowd on these shores, we should recognise the impact he made. He was a great guy, an excellent colleague and we will all miss him very much. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.â€
Cadle also worked as a motivational speaker and acted as a coaching mentor to many.
He is survived by his wife Lorraine and daughter Toia.
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